Dolphins return to action with local derby

Pattaya United’s Peeradol Chamratsamee has been called up to the national squad. (Photo courtesy Pattaya United)

The mid-season four week break in the Thai Premier League comes to an end this Saturday with Pattaya United making the short trip to play local rivals Chonburi FC. If this fixture needs any more spicing up, Pattaya’s neighbors must still be smarting from their 2-1 defeat they suffered at the hands of ten-man Pattaya at the start of the season.

The break has seen mixed fortunes for the Dolphins with Peeradol Chamratsamee being called up to the full national squad and Picha U-Tra playing for the U23 side. The start of the transfer window saw the signings of three players from Thai Honda in the form of Nopparat Sakulod, Santithorn Latirom, and Peemwit Thongnithiroj, who will bolster a squad further strengthened by the return of several players from injuries.

All Pattaya fans will be disappointed however that Chaiwyawat Buran has signed for Changrai United. During the window there have been several deals between Chiangrai and Buran’s parent club Muangthong United, which has culminated in the loss of Pattaya’s fine young left sided player. There was very little United could have done in this situation but it does show how dangerous it is to have so many players in the squad on loan.

The aim of the local side must now be to more than double the points they achieved in the first half of the season, and pull away from the relegation zone. They follow the away trip this Saturday with a Thai FA Cup game at home to Chainat Hornbill on Wednesday June 21 at the Dolphins stadium.